Carved Handpainted Polychrome Wooden
Antique Late 19th Century European Gothic Revival Religious Items
Brass, Gold Leaf
Vintage 1930s Swedish Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Wood
People Also Browsed
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Religious Items
Terracotta
Antique Mid-19th Century European Baroque Revival Religious Items
Bronze
1970s American Modern Nude Photography
Silver Gelatin
21st Century and Contemporary European Victorian Taxidermy
Animal Skin
Antique 19th Century Belgian Gothic Revival Architectural Elements
Oak
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Ceramic
Antique Early 19th Century German Gothic Religious Items
Fruitwood, Oak
Vintage 1960s Sammarinese Mid-Century Modern Vases
Lava
Antique 1870s English Folk Art Ceramics
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Pottery
Antique Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Dining Room Sets
Walnut
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Religious Items
Metal, Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Gothic Religious Items
Bronze, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Aluminum
Antique 19th Century European Gothic Revival Religious Items
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century Dutch Arts and Crafts Religious Items
Metal, Brass, Zinc
Finding the Right sculptures for You
Styling your home with vintage, new and antique sculptures means adding a touch that can meaningfully transform the space. By introducing a sculptural work as a decorative finish to any interior, you’re making a statement, whether you tend toward the dramatic or prefer to keep things casual with modest, understated art.
A single, one-of-a-kind three-dimensional figurative sculpture mounted on your dining room wall is a guaranteed conversation piece, while a trio of abstract works arranged on your living room bookshelves can add spontaneity to the collection of first-edition novels or artist monographs you’re displaying as well as draw attention to them. Figurative sculptures are representational works that portray a specific person, animal or object. And while decorating with busts, which are sculpted or cast figurative works, hasn’t exactly topped the list of design trends every year, busts are back. According to designer Timothy Corrigan, “They give humanity in a way that a more abstract sculpture can’t give.” Abstract sculptures, on the other hand, are not meant to show something specific. Instead, they invoke a mood or scene without directly stating what they are portraying.
Busts made of stone or metal may not seem like a good fit for your existing decor. Fortunately, there are many ways for a seemingly incongruous piece to fit in with the rest of your room’s theme. You can embrace a dramatic piece by making it the focal point of the room, or you can choose to incorporate several elements made out of the same material to create harmony in your space. If an antique or more dramatic piece doesn’t feel like you, why not opt for works comprising plastic, fiberglass or other more modern materials?
When incorporating sculpture into the design of your home — be it the playful work of auction hero and multimedia visionary KAWS, contemporary fiber art from Connecticut dealer browngrotta arts or still-life sculpture on a budget — consider proper lighting, which can bring out the distinctive aspects of your piece that deserve attention. And make sure you know how the size and form of the sculpture will affect your space in whole. If you choose a sculpture with dramatic design elements, such as sharp angles or bright colors, for example, try to better integrate this new addition by echoing those elements in the rest of your room’s design.
Get started on decorating with sculpture now — find figurative sculptures, animal sculptures and more on 1stDibs today.
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